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Men's Basketball
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The University of Utah Athletics
Making The Grade
12/11/2001 12:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 11, 2001
By Jesse Christensen, Sports Information Student Assistant
Cameron Goettsche joins the Utes this season after a successful and busy high school career in Highlands Ranch, Colo. In addition to basketball, the 6-7, 208-pound freshman lettered in baseball, football, track, volleyball and soccer.
Talented in all of those sports, Goettsche (pronounced GET-chee) received the most accolades for his exploits on the basketball court. He was named to the Colorado all-state team after averaging 18.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 68.4 percent from the field his senior year. Goettsche led the Thunder Ridge High School basketball team to two conference championships (1997-98 and 2000-01). He was also nominated to the Denver Nuggets All-Star team, which consisted of the top 20 players in Colorado, in 2001.
With all of his success, Goettsche drew interest from many top college programs, including Oregon, Marquette, Wyoming and UC Santa Barbara. He chose Utah primarily because of head coach Rick Majerus.
"Coach Majerus had a major influence on my choice to come to this university. I feel his style and coaching strategies will be the best way for me to learn and grow as a basketball player," says Goettsche.
In turn, Majerus is happy to have Goettsche on board. "Cameron is a terrific athlete who is very coachable," says Majerus. "He's an outstanding young man. He's undergoing the tough transition from playing with your back to the basket to facing the basket, and it's going to take time. He'll have to pay meticulous attention to detail and be patient."
Interestingly enough, the lanky giant's first love in sports was soccer. "I have been playing soccer my entire life and I love it," explains Goettsche. "I have always been active in sports, but soccer has always been one of my favorites. Soccer has helped me with my coordination, footwork and stamina, which I have found to really help in basketball. It also helped me develop a strong work ethic and taught me that I have to work hard for everything." His high school soccer team notched a state title in 1998 and conference titles in 1998 and '99.
Goettsche may be just a freshman, but is eager to progress both athletically and academically as he begins his collegiate career. "I really want to perform well in school and some day be on the academic all-conference team," Goettsche reveals. "I'm undecided on my major, but I really like history and writing. My goal is not only to play well on the court, but also to give 100 percent in school and in basketball so I won't have any regrets when I'm done."
Goettsche progress on the court has been limited by injuries this season. He was unable to practice or play in games until Dec. 1 with patella tendinitis in his left knee and a bone bruise in his right knee.
When Goettsche isn't at practice or with his head in the books, he enjoys mountain biking, watching movies and surfing. "I am originally from California and my family and I go back in the summer. It's the only time I'm able to surf, but I look forward to it all year," says Goettsche.
Although Goettsche has already accomplished a lot, he continues to strive for perfection. He attacks all aspects of his life with the attitude, "to not be afraid of anything." Goettsche employs this approach on the court, as well as in the classroom. Joining a Utah program that prides itself on both academic and athletic achievement, Goettsche has come to the right place.
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